Own the time
over 2,650 miles. under 52 days.
Follow Timothy Olson as he attempts to set the Fastest Known Time on the Pacific Crest Trail
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Where is Timothy Olson?
This June, ultrarunner and Adidas Terrex athlete Timothy Olson will attempt to set a fastest known time (FKT) on the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, starting at the California-Mexico border and finishing at Washington-Canada border. His goal? Break the current FKT of 52 days and change. We’ll be with him every step of the way—and you can follow his progress below.
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Pacific Ocean
Meet TImothy
Ultrarunner Timothy Olson is a two-time winner and former record holder of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. But he has a special connection to the Pacific Crest Trail, sections of which he’d run from his house in Ashland, Oregon, where he began his ultrarunning career a decade ago. Timothy has been training to set a fastest known time (FKT) on the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail for two years (last year’s attempt having been postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic). A self-professed “lover of life and explorer of nature,” Timothy’s goal on the attempt is to “live consciously” as he runs through the mountains. “I’m not trying to conquer nature,” he says. “I’m trying to move through and appreciate it.” Timothy wants his effort to be a celebration of our post-pandemic return to life. “I see this as a time for us all to reemerge from our cocoons,” he says. “I want to set a marker for what is possible.”
Timothy Olson
Miles 2,144–2,650
Beginning at the trail’s lowest elevation, the Bridge of the Gods (180 feet) over the Columbia River, the Washington section rises past the talismanic peaks of mounts Adams and Rainier and then northward into the rugged and remote north Cascades, probably the PCT’s second most difficult section. In addition to presenting extreme elevation gains and losses and intense, dangerous river crossings, the north Cascades can be the PCT’s wettest section, with frequent summer storms that should test Timothy’s resolve and gear. “I’ll go several consecutive 60- and 50-mile days without seeing my crew—and may arrive at the border alone if the access from Canada is still closed.”
REgion 5: Washington
Region 5
Miles 1,689–2,144
Region 4: Oregon
The easiest section of the trail, the PCT through Oregon contains fewer significant elevation changes, though the route is no less stunning, winding through old-growth forests, skirting alpine lakes, and connecting snowcapped volcanoes—including Mount Washington, Mount Jefferson, and the iconic Mount Hood—that dominate the skyline. But while the run should be easier physically, Timothy will likely be getting trail weary by this point. That’s where meeting up with his family at trailheads and road crossings will be a boost. “A hug from [my son] Kai and I’ll be energized to run all day,” he says.
Region 4
Region 3
Region 2
Region 1
Walker Pass to Donner Pass Miles 652–1,157
Region 2: Central California
From Walker Pass, near the town of Kernville, the trail dips to the South Fork of the Kern River, the geographic start of the Sierra Nevada. Arguably the PCT’s most difficult section, the trail through the High Sierra spends considerable time above 10,000 feet, includes eight passes over 11,000 feet, and peaks at 13,153-foot Forester Pass, the PCT’s high point. Timothy calibrated his early-June start time to reach the High Sierra when most of the snow should be melted, so he won’t have to lug heavy gear like crampons and ice axes. The crux of his effort will be the remote section from Sequoia National Park through Yosemite National Park, where the PCT merges with the famously majestic John Muir Trail for 160 miles. Timothy likely won’t see his resupply team for several days in this section.
Donner Pass to Oregon border Miles 1,157–1,689
Region 3: Northern california
This Northern California section begins where Interstate 80 crosses Donner Pass and continues through the High Sierra, but then gives way to the drier volcanic peaks and plains of the southern Cascades. From there to the Oregon border, the skyline is dominated by the Mount Shasta stratovolcano. Three to four weeks into the six-week effort, Timothy will need to listen to his body to stave off overuse injuries; he may have to sleep an extra hour or two or shorten his days to let his feet, knees, or shins heal. But with his experience and abilities, says coach Koop, “he can be three days off the record in this section and make it up in a single day.”
Campo to Walker Pass Miles 0–652
Region 1: Southern California
The southern terminus of the PCT is near the aptly named California town of Campo. A shoulder-high monument a few yards from the wall marking the Mexican border is the official starting point. From there, the trail forges north through the Sonoran Desert, through the Laguna Mountains and into the Mojave. Daytime temps here can spike to the hundreds in June, so Timothy plans on predawn starts. And because there can be up to 30 miles of trail between water sources, Timmy will rely on midday water resupplies from his team at road crossings and trailheads.
Ultrarunner Timothy Olson is a two-time winner and former record holder of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. But he has a special connection to the Pacific Crest Trail, sections of which he’d run from his house in Ashland, Oregon, where he began his ultrarunning career a decade ago. Olson has been training to set a fastest known time (FKT) on the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail for two years (last year’s attempt having been postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic). Olson wants his effort to be a celebration of our post-pandemic return to life. “I see this as a time for us all to reemerge from our cocoons,” he says. “I want to set a marker for what is possible.”
Photo + Video
Training + Nutrition
The Team
The Trail
The Gear
The Attempt
Select a region to learn more about the terrain
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Read his bio here
Mile 1,157
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Menu | The Attempt
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FKT Final TIme:
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HE DID IT
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51 days 16 hourS 55 minutes
Timothy Olson has set a new Fastest Known Time on the Pacific Crest Trail
days hours minutes
NEW PCT FKT
Everything timothy olson will need on the trail
With desert temperatures in the hundreds, nights below freezing in the mountains, powerful and frigid rivers to wade, and of course 2,650 relentless miles of trail, the PCT is hard on a body—and on gear. Here’s the kit Timothy will rely on to get him through.
Terrex 5 Panel Cap
Strong sun takes a toll on the eyes and skin and can dramatically worsen fatigue. Timothy will ward off its effects with the 5 Panel Cap. Like the rest of his kit, the five-panel hat is cut from Aeroready wicking, Primegreen fabric spun from recycled plastic pulled from the ocean by Parley.
Trekking Poles
On some sections, Timothy will use trekking poles for added traction, stability, and speed—spreading the work of moving 50 miles per day to other muscle groups. Weighing just 200 grams, the poles fold into linked thirds for easy carrying when not in use, and on some sections, he’ll likely leave them with the crew.
Terrex 5P Cap
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TERREX TECHFIT PRIMEGREEN TRAXION CREW SOCKS
Spun from recycled poly fibers derived from ocean plastic, the durable Terrex Techfit Primgreen Traxion Sock is designed to minimize friction by reducing movement within the shoe, keeping runners’ feet healthy for more miles.
Terrex Trail running vest
To keep his gear organized, Timothy will rely on the storage capability of the super-breathable, mesh-backed Terrex Trail running Vest. In addition to the pair of half-liter soft gel water bottles, his vest will be stocked with essentials like a palm-size water filter, a headlamp, his Garmin inReach GPS, and his smartphone, loaded with music and audiobooks to help keep his mind at ease when the trail feels overwhelming.
Terrex Agravic Pro tr tee
The Agravic Pro Tee is more second, protective skin than shirt—its body-mapped mesh zones offer maximum ventilation, and its strategically placed seams reduce friction on endless trail days. And its recycled poly yarn is made from ocean plastic intercepted by the environmental group Parley. “Part of my mission is to increase awareness of the problem of single-use plastics,” says Timothy. “People need to know there are positive steps they can take.”
Terrex Agravic Pro TR Shorts
Body-mapped with high-ventilation mesh fabric across the hips and Aeoready wicking fabric everywhere else, the superlight, stretchy Agravic Pro Short never constrains. A waist pocket provides snug, bounce-free storage, and elastic loops across the back can secure a pair of folding poles or a rolled-up jacket.
terrex Agravic Pro tr rain Jacket
Despite weighing just 200 grams—the same as a roll of nickels—the Agravic Pro Rain Jacket offers impressive protection from rain or even snow. “Some nights, bivying with minimal gear, the Rain RDY Jacket will be my primary source of warmth,” says Timothy. Thanks to its raised mesh backer, the three-layer Rain RDY feels, he says, “more substantial, and is more rugged than most ultralight shells.”
TERREX SPEED ULTRA TRAIL RUNNING SHOES
To avoid repetitive strain on his feet, Timothy plans to use a variety of Terrex models. His daily driver will be the Speed Ultra. Specifically designed for FKTs such as this, the 8-ounce shoe has a gravel-bike inspired lug pattern, a snug fit, and light, breathable uppers. Other days he’ll opt for the highly cushioned Terrex Two Parley or the Terrex Agravic Boa, which he likes for the ease of adjustment. “Going uphill, I’ll loosen it a few clicks,” he says, “and then downhill, I can tighten it up for better control.” The entire effort, after all, relies on the health of his feet.
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Menu | The gear
Everything timothy olson will be up against
Stretching from Mexico to Canada for 2,650 miles, the PCT traverses some of the country’s most stunning wilderness areas and mountain ranges. It treads some of the nation’s most celebrated national parks, including Yosemite, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades. The PCT links ecosystems as varied as the Sonoran Desert, glaciated volcanoes, and the temperate rainforest of the Columbia River Gorge.
The Pacific Crest Trail is America’s second longest footpath, stretching from the Mexican border to the Canadian border through California, Oregon, and Washington. Along the way, it skirts within a few miles of...
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Total length of PCT
Highest Point: 13,153 ft.
Forester Pass, CA
Bridge of the Gods, OR/WA
lowest Point: 180 ft.
PCT elevation profile
2,650 mi.
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total Elevation gain
About THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
The Pacific Crest Trail is America’s second longest footpath, stretching from the Mexican border to the Canadian border through California, Oregon, and Washington. Along the way, it skirts within a few miles of the lower 48’s highest point, California’s 14,505-foot Mount Whitney, and hugs the rim of Crater Lake, the nation’s deepest body of water (1,943 feet). The PCT was formally proposed in 1932 by Clinton C. Clarke, who established the Pacific Crest Trail Association (then named the Pacific Crest Trail System Conference). Designated as a National Scenic Trail in 1968, it is officially 2,650 miles long, although according to the PCTA, that’s actually an estimate, accurate, it says, to within ten miles. The trail has never been mapped precisely and besides, the PCTA likes to note, due to annual reroutes on account of wildfires or trail maintenance, the hikeable length may vary substantially each year. Most thru-hikers take an average of five months, the majority traveling south to north, beginning in April or early May. Some, of course, prefer to go much faster. The first self-supported FKT was set in 2009. Currently, the supported FKT of 52 days, 8 hours, and 25 minutes is held by Belgian dentist Karel Sabbe, who set his record with no publicity ahead of time in 2016—and was already home in his native country before the news broke. This is the record Timothy is trying to break.
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Equal to climbing everest
16.8x
mile 754
Kings Canyon NP
mile 943
Yosemite NP
Mile 1,344
Lassen Volcanic NP
Mile 1,821
Crater Lake NP
Mile 2,312
Mount Rainier NP
Mile 2,569
North Cascades NP
The PCT traverses National Parks
and includes Trail miles through California’s Sonoran and Mojave deserts
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52:08:25
Days, hours, and minutes of the current supported FKT record
Miles per day Timothy needs to exceed to set a new FKT
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Menu | The Trail
The Distance
The uphill
The Elevation
The Parks
The record
489,418
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The PCT traverses
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Everyone working to help Timothy olson Succeed
Timothy Olson’s effort is supported by a team of seven trailing him in a pair of RVs and meeting up with him almost nightly (except for a few especially remote sections) and even running alongside him at times. “The team’s goal is to make his days as routine and stress-free as possible,” says coach Jason Koop.
TERREX PRIMEGREEN AEROREADY FIVE-PANEL CAP
Timothy’s wife of 12 years, Krista Olson is an accomplished ultrarunner. The freelance systems architect co-leads the couple’s Run Mindful retreats, and on the PCT she’ll keep the team’s logistics running smoothly. She will also be eight months pregnant with the couple’s third child by the time Timothy completes the trail, emphasizing Timothy’s aim for his run to be “a beacon of hope for a better future.”
Krista Olson
Tristan, Timothy’s eldest son, is already an experienced trail runner at the age of eight. He and his brother, 5-year-old Kai, will pace their father on trail sections near the team’s campsites. “When the boys head out with Tim in the morning, we’ll have to send someone out with them—otherwise they won’t come back,” laughs coach Koop.
Tristan + Kai Olson
Bob Loomis is a trial lawyer, a seasoned ultrarunner, and Timothy’s father-in-law. He’ll assist coach Koop in resupplying Timothy along remote trail sections and take charge of team morale, cracking jokes whenever needed. “He’s the definition of a mullet,” says Timothy. “Business in the front, party in the back.”
Bob Loomis
Debbie Loomis, Timothy’s mother-in-law, is the business manager of Run Mindful Retreats. On the PCT team, Loomis’s primary role will be helping Kai and Tristan keep up with schoolwork. “It keeps my stress down knowing my kids are with their grandma all day,” says Timothy.
Debbie Loomis
Timothy’s coach for seven years, Koop has multiple finishes of his own at ultras like the Badwater 135, Western States 100, and Hardrock 100, and he’s the author of Training Essentials for Ultrarunning. “Timothy knows how to run,” says Koop. “My job is to minimize the logistical and informational hurdles so he can focus on the physical and mental hurdles of the trail.”
Jason Koop
The owner of Real Athlete Diets (RAD), Newlon has been Timothy’s nutritionist for seven years. Ahead of the PCT FKT attempt, she carefully curated a diet of high-energy, healthy-calorie whole foods to keep him running strong. “But I’m not afraid to have Krista pick up In-N-Out Burger if that's what his body is calling for,” she says.
Kelly Newlon
Timothy's Wife
Timothy's sons
Timothy's Father-in-law
Timothy's mother-in-law
Timothy's coach
Timothy's Nutritionist
Menu | The Team
how Timothy Olson has been preparing
Timothy has been strategizing and planning for his Pacific Crest Trail speed effort for more than two years—the COVID-19 pandemic scrapped last year’s plan. Yet, says coach Jason Koop, Timothy’s decade of racing and training experience is far more important than any training he’s done in the last few months.
IT’S MOSTLY MENTAL
“The mental fortitude for running 2,650 consecutive miles is what we’ve been primarily focusing on. It’s new territory for him as an athlete.” The strategy, says Koop, has been to design a daily routine that reduces mental stress and fatigue, so that Timothy is capable of withstanding more stress out on the trail.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IS KEY
Each morning, Koop will present Timothy with a detailed plan for the day, from the trail profile ahead to expected resupply rendezvous spots to the weather forecast, which Timothy will shoot a photo of to keep with him on his phone.
ALL ABOUT FAMILY
In April, the whole team—Koop and Newlon and Timothy's family—convened for a five-day dry run. They experimented with meals, practiced resupplies and daily briefings, tested apparel and gear combos, and ironed out the team’s satellite communication. “My family is an indispensable aspect of this,” says Timothy. It all worked: he covered 250 miles—the same pace he’ll need to average for 50 consecutive days.
Morning Ritual
Timothy doesn’t drink coffee, so he’ll start each day with water, green tea, and a smoothie made from greens, frozen fruit, nut butters, salt, protein powder, avocado, and miscellaneous seeds. The idea, says nutritionist Kelly Newlon, is to get him hydrated while still loading on as much real food and protein as possible.
On the Fly
On the run, Newlon has directed the support team to supply Timothy with a rotating selection of five to seven whole-food snacks—hash-brown and egg sandwiches, turkey, stuffing, and cranberry wraps, falafel or meatball wraps—shooting for 4,000 to 5,000 calories a day. “And if they see him without food, put something in front of him.”
The Math
Add it all up, and Timothy will need to average roughly 50 miles a day, for 50 days in a row, to break the record.
Menu | Training + Nutrition
Sights and sounds from timothy's attempt
Seeing—and watching—is believing. As Timothy heads north this summer, check back here for periodic dispatches from the trail, including behind-the-scenes photos to video updates on everything from wildlife encounters and wild weather to status reports from his family and support crew.
More Coming Soon
Timothy, his wife Krista, and their two boys share a snack pre-training run.
Waiting in the shade for dad to get back from a training run in Moab, Utah.
Timothy’s two sons, Tristan (left), and Kai (right).
Constantly re-fueling, eating high-calorie foods is a big part of Timothy’s training regime.
Tristan, Timothy’s eldest son, is already an experienced trail runner at the age of eight.
Menu | Photo + Video
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Week 1
Week 2
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Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Timothy climbs through chaparral, scrub oak, and pines, headed towards the Laguna Mountains.
And he’s off—Timothy takes on the first stretch of the trail from the Mexican border.
One last fist bump before Timothy takes his first step to attempt an FKT.
CaPtion for 4th Pic in carousel, week 2
Timothy stops for a water resupply during a midday break in Southern California.
The Laguna Mountains can reach up to 6,000 feet, about the same elevation as Lake Tahoe.
Daytime temperatures here can spike to the hundreds in June.
Caption for 4th Pic week 2
The Laguna Mountains can reach up to 6,000 feet, about the same elevation as Lake Tahoe
Making good time, Timothy earned his trail name, Mirage. “I’m dissolving into nature,” he joked from the trail.
The High Sierra includes eight passes over 11,000 feet. Peaking at 13,153 feet, Forester Pass is the PCT’s high point.
Timothy makes his way through the High Sierra. Arguably the most difficult section of the PCT, the majority of this part of the trail is above 10,000 feet.
This section of trail continues through the High Sierra, but then gives way to the drier volcanic peaks and plains of the southern Cascades.
The work doesn’t end when the sun goes down. Timothy is running all hours and often covering over 50-miles per day.
Timothy powers his way through a forested section of trail in Northern California.
While the run through northern Oregon is easier physically, Timothy is becoming trail weary and needs to dig for a mental push.
As Timothy approaches the end of Region 4, he looks to his team for support to stay on track.
Oregon contains fewer significant elevation changes along the PCT, though it’s no less stunning.
The old-growth forests of northern Oregon guide Timothy Olson onto the final region of his endeavor.
With over 2,000 trail miles behind him, Timothy’s body is starting to show and feel the wear.
The support from Timothy's family and friends is helping him stay on track and dig deep mentally.
The Bridge of Gods marks the entrance to Region 5 of the trail, the final stretch through Washington.
As Timothy Crosses the Bridge of Gods over the Columbia River, he is greeted by a welcoming community of supporters.
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